Flagstone Dragon Tree Cape Blend, Western Cape

A ‘Cape Blend’, always based about Pinotage, with Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon in supporting roles. Malbec and Merlot sometimes feature in vintages where their inclusion adds complexity and interest to the palate. Fermentation and maturation takes place in 85% American and 15% French oak barrels. The nose shows rich dark fruit with notes of mint and cigar box, the palate marries ripe fruit with a fresh acidity.

Awards

BRONZE (2015) International Wine Challenge 2016

SILVER (2013) Decanter World Wine Awards 2016

COMMENDED (2013) Sommelier Wine Awards 2016

About Flagstone

Bruce Jack grew up on Surfers’ Corner in Cape Town, where he still surfs; after studying Literature at St Andrews University in Scotland in 1992 (colleagues still marvel at the creative spelling demonstrated by this English graduate) and Oenology at Roseworthy College. He spent time working in vineyards in South Australia, Bordeaux and California. During his time away from South Africa he gained a tremendous insight into the art of wine production, developing his style and philosophy.

He returned home to Cape Town in 1998 and started the Flagstone winery. Flagstone’s success since then is based on Bruce’s extensive understanding of viticultural strategies and his desire to make red wines that are soft and juicy, with incredible longevity and bold and flavoursome whites that are still crisp and refreshing. Underpinning Flagstone’s success is Bruce’s intimate understanding of the many vineyards with which he works across the Western Cape.

His quirky, creative and ground-breaking style has earned him the reputation as one of South Africa’s key new generation winemakers. He has been named Winemaker of the Year three times over the last ten years, as well as South African Wine Personality of the Year in 2008.

His philosophy: ‘Wine should do a small, simple thing: it should add joy to life. We believe the process is extremely important; hand-crafted, balanced wines can contribute joy to a meal, a conversation or even a dream.’

Bruce is rarely pinned down to one project – recently he has also been making wines in Spain and producing an Irish craft cider called Orpens.

Ethical production

Flagstone is a member of the Integrated Production of Wine scheme, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998. IPW complies with international wine industry environmental sustainability criteria. Flagstone is also WIETA accredited. This Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association ensures that not only is the environment looked after, but so too are the people involved in the farming and production of Flagstone.